Focus Archive > Page 53

‘Revenge Spending’ the Latest Trend Driving Earnings

Walmart recently posted strong quarterly sales growth and boosted its profit outlook, as comparable sales increased 6% for U.S. stores, excluding fuel, according to Bloomberg (May 18). The retailer attributed the strong performance to a …

As Convenience Store Business Grows, So Does M&A

Over the past year, convenience store business has been growing—particularly in the acquisition space. Convenience store in-store sales reached a record $255.6 Billion in 2020, according to NACS State of the Industry data. While total …

Plenty of Room for Growth in Plant-Based Space

While Oatly may be making waves for its proposed $10 billion IPO, competition in the space continues to heat up as new competitors expand their product ranges. Meanwhile, the health benefits of these products continue …

Food Industry Financials: Inflation, TSN, ARMK, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: CPI, PPI, small business optimism, Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN), Aramark (ARMK), Utz Brands, …

Could the U.S. See Runaway Inflation?

For those who remember the soaring inflation and double-digit interest rates of the late 1970s and early 1980s, President Joe Biden’s economic relief packages present a real fear about rising inflation. At the same time, …

Restaurants’ Latest Challenge: A Cicada ‘Tsunami’

As if the lingering pandemic hasn’t caused enough headaches for restaurant operators, a new issue has emerged: Cicadas – lots and lots of cicadas. For the past 17 years, so-called Brood X cicadas have slowly …

Consumers Are Gearing Up for BBQ Season and Prioritizing Health

In preparation for the summer and warmer weather, consumers are spending big on barbecue supplies. Consumers increased purchases of barbecue-related consumer packaged goods products in April, according to NCSolutions. Nearly all barbecue categories grew faster …

Latest Delivery Innovations Bring Groceries to Your Garage, Fridge

Recent delivery innovations by Amazon, Kroger, and Walmart are bringing groceries beyond consumers’ doorstep. Sales from grocery deliveries surged throughout 2020 and demand for the service remains high. In February 2021, online grocery deliveries and …

Restaurants Pushing to Accommodate Gluten-Sensitive Customers

Eighty-five million Americans are impacted by food allergies and intolerances, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), an organization engaged in food allergy advocacy. These days, an increasingly common allergy relates to gluten. Celiac …

Is the Pudding Market Primed for Disruption?

Better-for-you trends continue to shake up the dairy case with an expanding selection of plant-based alternatives in milk, yogurt and, more recently, ice cream. And then there’s pudding, a sleepy category with relatively untapped health …

How the Health and Wellness Trend Is Impacting CPGs

The Health & Wellness movement has made great strides over the past few years. And, the trend only intensified during the pandemic, although indulgent eating was a contradictory development for many consumers. CPG companies are …

Will Congress Adopt Migrant Farmworker Reforms?

While migrant workers have long supported the agricultural economy, it’s no secret that some operators use illegal immigrants to harvest their crops. With that, lawmakers have been wrestling with immigration reform for years, with little …

A Red Meat Revival? March Exports Shatter Records

Although plant-based products have been in the spotlight of late, U.S. beef and pork exports still established new records in March, according to new analysis. RENEWED HOPE FOR RED MEAT INDUSTRY U.S. beef and pork …

Pet Adoption, Food Sales Grow as Birth Rate Slips

Birth rates fell for the sixth consecutive year to the lowest levels since 1979, according to the CDC. The number of births in the U.S. declined last year by 4% from 2019, double the average annual …

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NYC Becoming Epicenter for Growing Vegan Movement

Coming as no surprise, plant-based food is making headlines again. In addition to other news, one of the world’s most renowned restaurants is going entirely vegan. FINE DINING MAKES THE SHIFT Perhaps the biggest plant-based …

UPDATE: Cell-Cultured Seafood Gaining Support

Would you eat lab-grown lobster? Cell-cultured seafood — protein produced directly from fish cells in nutrient-dense bioreactors — is getting ever closer to consumer’s plates. Investments in alt-seafood startups have seen an uptick over the …

Report: Snacking Spiked During Pandemic Lockdowns

As people spent more time at home during the pandemic, snacking rose significantly as a means to ease sadness, boredom, and stress. In fact, the average U.S. consumer reported eating 37% more snack foods and …

Grocery Delivery Platforms Chipping Away at Food Waste 

Most consumers recognize the importance of addressing climate change. What may not be top of mind, however, is food waste’s impact on climate change. When food is wasted, so is the water, fuel and other resources that were used …

Study: Delivery Apps Destined for Steep Decline in Business

The food delivery app industry is facing a potentially drastic slump in sales, according to a new study by the Social Sciences Research Network, which tracked 27 delivery apps, including Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats. …

Alcohol Industry Innovating Like Never Before

With Memorial Day around the corner and signs of the pandemic easing, the alcoholic beverage industry is gearing up for summer and beyond. Here are some recent highlights and innovations from the sector. Champagne sales are popping Whether it’s for meeting up with friends and loved ones in person or …